In a Brittle, Anxious, Nonlinear, Incomprehensible (BANI) world, talent development has a strategic opening: harness AI agents for hyper-personalized, just in time, upskilling, co-create learning paths that adapt in real-time, and continue to lead the way in steering and driving change that leverages our unique talents in ways that ultimately best serve our target audiences.
Join us for an in-person overview of ATD National’s latest State of the Industry report, spotlighting spending trends, learning hours per employee, delivery modalities, AI adoption rates, and TD staffing shifts. We’ll confront how these conditions demand agile L&D strategies that build resilience amid uncertainty.
Expect a high-level summary with facilitated discussions where local leaders share how BANI dynamics such as fragile systems, heightened anxiety, nonlinear timelines, and opaque futures, play out in their workplaces.
This session will include an in-depth overview of the latest data, small-group BANI analysis, full-group synthesis, and personal action commitments.
Primary Audience
- Talent development, L&D, and HR professionals
- People leaders who sponsor or champion learning
- Internal consultants, OD practitioners, and instructional designers
Learning Objectives
By session end, participants will be able to:
- Summarize ATD benchmarks (spend per employee, hours, modalities, tech/AI use).
- Identify two to three BANI-specific challenges from national data and local stories.
- Adapt national trends to local contexts by analyzing how peers are reducing learner anxiety and handling nonlinear skill shifts.
- Develop one to two concrete next steps such as AI-enabled just-in-time learning, manager enablement for uncertainty, or redesigned measurement for volatile environments.
- Commit to one BANI-aware practice shift (e.g., scenario planning over linear roadmaps, anxiety-reducing communications, simplified success metrics) for immediate implementation.
This lean session will better equip you to lead through BANI with data and collective wisdom. Bring your front line stories and we’ll turn them into strategies.
D.J. Netz is the corporate leadership development curriculum manager for Northrop Grumman. He is responsible for shaping learning strategy while delivering innovative and future-focused programs for leadership development, technical skills, change management, and transformation training in all modalities.
Previously, Mr. Netz served for three years as Leadership Development Program Manager, Enterprise Operations, for Lockheed Martin Corporation. In this capacity, he was responsible for leading the corporate curriculum strategy for each level of leadership.
Prior to Lockheed Martin, Mr. Netz was a senior learning consultant for GP Strategies, a global performance improvement provider. In that role, he advised enterprise level organizations on digital learning transformation, crafting solutions that balance technology and scalability. Throughout his career, D.J. has led several initiatives for leadership strategy, financial acumen, data science, and business development training.
Mr. Netz graduated from Portland State University with a Master’s degree in Adult Education. He earned his undergraduate degree in Management of Human Resources from George Fox University. He achieved Scrum Master certification in 2019.
D.J. is a three-time Brandon Hall award winner. He served six years as adjunct instructor at Portland State University, teaching courses on corporate training. He served on the board of the ATD-Cascadia Chapter for twelve years. In his free time, D.J. enjoys domestic travel and organic farming.
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Program Details
- This is an in person session
Registration Details
- Online registration available until June 11, 2026
- Registration is available for our partner organizations.
- To receive a refund, a written request must be received in the Chapter office at least one week before the event.
- No refunds or credits for future events given after that time.
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CPTD Recertification Credit
CPTDs earn one recertification point/credit for each physical hour of continuing education within one’s current role/job or involving a new experience or content. You will need to keep records of the event and prepare any required paperwork. Visit the CPTD webpage for complete information.
The Chapter estimates 2.0 recertification hours for this workshop.
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HRCI and SHRM Recertification Credit
This program may be eligible for self-certification for HRCI and SHRM recertification credits. You will need to keep records of the event and prepare any required paperwork. Visit the HRCI recertification webpage or the SHRM recertification webpage for more information.
ATD Capability Model - Business Insight, Talent Strategy & Management, Training Delivery & Facilitation, Technology Application, Evaluating Impact, Future Readiness
